Social Value and Sustainability Lead – Any office

Job requirements

Skills and Experience
Proven experience leading sustainability initiatives within an architecture, built environment, or design practice.

Strong understanding of sustainable design principles, building performance, carbon reduction, and environmental assessment methodologies.

Experience delivering sustainability strategies and advising project teams from concept through to completion.

Ability to analyse data, identify insights, and translate findings into practical improvements.

Strong communication skills with the ability to influence architects, clients, consultants, and senior stakeholders.

Experience developing social value strategies and demonstrating positive outcomes through projects.

 
Qualities and Attributes
Passionate about sustainability, social value, and improving the built environment.

Able to influence and inspire others to adopt more sustainable ways of working.

Comfortable challenging existing approaches and encouraging continuous improvement.

Able to balance strategic thinking with practical project delivery.

Takes ownership and drives initiatives through to completion.

Committed to sharing knowledge and developing sustainability capability across teams.

Responds positively to changing priorities, project requirements, and business needs.

Job responsibilities

Sustainability Strategy and Leadership

Develop and implement the Practice’s sustainability strategy, aligned with business objectives and industry best practice.

Establish clear sustainability priorities, targets, and measures of success.

Provide sustainability leadership and guidance to Directors, project teams, and wider Practice groups.

Monitor emerging legislation, standards, and industry trends to ensure the Practice remains current and competitive.

Support the development of the Practice’s ESG and sustainability reporting.

 
Project Sustainability Support

Provide sustainability advice throughout all project stages, from briefing and concept design through to delivery.

Support teams in achieving sustainability targets, certifications, and performance outcomes.

Review project approaches to carbon reduction, energy efficiency, materials, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Work collaboratively to embed sustainable solutions.

 
Social Value

Develop and embed the Practice’s approach to social value, ensuring it is integrated into project delivery and the wider Practice strategy.

Work with project teams, clients, consultants, and communities to identify opportunities to create meaningful social, economic, and environmental benefits throughout the project lifecycle.

Develop and coordinate social value initiatives, including engagement with local communities, schools, colleges, universities, and other stakeholder groups.

Support the delivery of education and outreach activities, including school engagement sessions, careers events, workshops, mentoring, and work experience opportunities that encourage future talent and improve access to the profession.

Collaborate with project teams and external partners to create opportunities for skills development, apprenticeships, employment pathways, and knowledge sharing where appropriate.

Coordinate and maximise the impact of the Practice’s social value activities, including the effective planning and delivery of volunteering initiatives, community partnerships, and employee led engagement activities.

Support project teams in identifying and delivering social value commitments within bids, tenders, frameworks, and project delivery plans, ensuring alignment with client requirements and measurable outcomes.

Establish appropriate methods for monitoring and evaluating social value impact, capturing outcomes such as community engagement, learning opportunities, skills development, and local economic benefits.

Capture, communicate, and share social value achievements, case studies, and lessons learned to demonstrate impact and support continuous improvement across the Practice.

 
Knowledge Sharing and Capability Building

Develop sustainability guidance, resources, and tools to support project teams.

Deliver training sessions and knowledge sharing activities.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and sustainable design excellence.

Support the development of sustainability skills across all levels of the Practice.

 
Bid Support and Business Development

Represent the Practice on sustainability matters      with clients, consultants, industry groups, and professional networks.

Support the preparation of bid responses by providing sustainability expertise, evidence, and technical input that demonstrates the Practice’s capability and approach.

Review bid requirements, sustainability criteria, and client expectations to ensure responses are aligned with project objectives, procurement requirements, and evaluation criteria.

Work collaboratively with to develop clear, compelling, and tailored sustainability narratives.

Identify opportunities to strengthen bids through sustainability innovation, net zero approaches, social value commitments, ESG performance, and relevant project experience.

Ensure sustainability commitments made during bidding are realistic, measurable, and capable of being delivered through project stages.

Maintain and develop sustainability content, case studies, evidence, and best practice examples to support future bids and framework submissions.